The Watchman

The Watchman

Friday, April 3, 2020

Where Do I Go When the World's Turned Upside Down?

When the British were finally defeated at the end of the Revolutionary War and Cornwallis surrendered his troops to the American and French commanders, tradition says that the British bands played the song, "The World Turned Upside Down".  There are multiple lyrical versions of the ballad, but this one appeals to me because it reminds me of a nonsense song:

If buttercups buzz'd after the bee,
If boats were on land, churches on sea,
If ponies rode men and if grass ate the cows,
And cats should be chased into holes by the mouse,
If the mamas sold their babies
To the gypsies for half a crown;
If summer were spring and the other way round,
Then all the world would be upside down.

How many of us have times when we feel like the world has turned upside down?  Right now the CoVid-19 pandemic comes to the forefront of our thoughts, but each of us will face times when we have our foundations shaken and we have to rethink what normal is for us.


The night our house was destroyed by fire, Rick and I felt nothing but overwhelmed and numb as we tried to know what step to take next.  As we lay in bed, we turned to the one source of peace that has never failed us.  We turned to prayer.  I don't remember the words that we said in that prayer, but I do remember the absolute feeling of peace that came over us and the assurance that in time all would be well.

Now with all the upheaval and chaos I am finding in my life due to the Corona Virus and resulting CoVid-19 pandemic, I find myself turning again and again to my Heavenly Father for guidance in what to do.  It is hard to do things that do not come naturally to me like being separated from my loved ones; to not see them and hold them daily; to not be able to celebrate birthdays and graduations; to not greet friends and neighbors with a handshake or hug, but to maintain a distance from all and communicate through technology, not just for my own safety but for theirs.  How can I find peace in this situation?  This is not who I am!!!!

Then I thought of a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, the Savior of the World, our brother, Jesus Christ, who knew that to grow and progress, we would need to be separated from Them for a time as we came to Earth.  Just as the despair Rick and I felt at losing our home was understood and comfort and guidance given, no one knows  better the pain and loneliness I am feeling now at not being able to have my family around me the way I want than the Savior who gave us the greatest gift of all, His gift of the Atonement.  This is the gift that we are preparing to celebrate at Easter.  


Click on the link to read more about the Atonement.  

I hope you enjoy this beautiful song.  It is one of my favorites and this arrangement/production is just for us today.



Here is the original video for Peace In Christ: